Ok, so I am on my way to Miami for Hispanicize 2013 thanks to United Healthcare.

A few days ago I wrote a post to participate on a contest to attend the conference with all expenses paid. As I was reading the post of everyone else that entered, I was getting nervous, because everyone had such an inspirational story and I had heavy competition.

So, when I found out that I had been chosen as the winner I was really happy. I want to say Thanks to the panel of judges that chose my story as the winner and I hope my journey to become healthy can empower more people to follow my advice and start moving and getting healthier.

It has not been easy but here you can see part of my trasformation

And I am not done here. This is still a work in progress so keep connected and you can more changes. Just remember: The number on the scale does not define you. Strive for healthy not for skinny.

Last weekend was full of fun. First day of Spring Break for my son and we had the opportunity to visit Knotts Berry Farm and see all the cool things prepared for celebration of Spring.

Going to Knotts is always fun, but this time around we had the opportunity to enjoy not only the rides but all the different activities that the new #KnottsSpring celebration has planned. From March 23rd through April 7th, the entire park will be “spring-i-fied” in a big way with activities such as

1. Search For The Easter Beagle: find the Beagle, and then redeem the card for an egg that can have different prizes

2. A musical interactive Peanuts Party in the Park

3. Boardwalk Board Games

4. Cupcakes decorating

5. Lucy's Show

6. Wine, Beer and food tasting

7. And of course the encounters with the famous characters

Disclosure: I received a complementary pass to visit the park with my family but all opinions are my own.

PreparationPreparación

In a large bowl, mash potatoes with the can of mushroom soup, salt and pepper. Set aside.

Saute the garlic, parsley and onions in olive oil on low heat with some salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Add the mixture of the mashed potatoes and tuna and mix well. Preheat oven to 450°. Get the mixture and form into croquettes. Place on waxed paper. Dip each croquette in egg and then breadcrumbs and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Spray generously with oil spray. Bake in the oven about 15 minutes, or until golden.

If you are a reader of my blog, you should know by now that my New Year resolution for 2013 was to get healthier, lose weight and change my lifestyle. Most people have the same resolution year after year. But for me, it was serious and needed to happen.

I have medical background and I even have a Masters in Public Health and almost all my life I have been preaching how to be healthy and make lifestyle changes. However I was far from walk my talk, and I was not living a very healthy lifestyle.

It was towards the end of 2012 that I went for a yearly check up and my doctor told me that I was obese. Yes, not overweight, but obese. The doctor told me that I was at high risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and other serious diseases. I was on shock. I knew I had some extra pounds, come on, my clothes were not really shrinking, but I was on denial about the severity of my problem.

My son is just 8 years old and I was not ready to become ill and not be able to enjoy time with him. I was already out of shape and keeping up with him playing was getting harder. Then I made a commitment. For me, for my son, for my family.

It was time to change things here. Change my lifestyle. I had been on diets before, but it was obvious they actually did not work. So the change had to be in all aspects of my life. And the changes were going to include my family as well, so everyone was going to benefit from the changes.

What I have done so far that has helped me to lose 35 pounds.

Exercise: I am walking 5 miles a day. It is recommended that you take 10,000 steps a day which equals to 5 miles.

Drinking water: I am drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. I have reduced the amount of diet sodas (I am still working on trying to stop drinking them)

Eating more fruits and vegetables. Changing the way I eat. I am not following any diet (diets do not work, believe me), but I am watching my portions and avoiding fatty, high calorie foods.

I can tell you that after losing the pounds not only I feel better with more self esteem but I also have more energy, I enjoy being outdoors and playing with my son, I do not feel depressed and even the stress level is less. I am taking my weight loss one pound at the time. I do not want to rush it, because I do not want to gain the weight again. My goal is to still lose at least another 30 pounds and I am sure that doing the changes I am making and continue with my medical check-ups I will be able to get there in a healthy way.

I want to invite you to visit United Health Care Latino and see all the resources available to change the lifestyle. Also check the video below. Learn about good eating habits and exercise